NEMATODES
 

Hello,

I have noticed nematodes in my soil mix with Phragmipediums... I cannot just discard these plants. I know, that this can be large problem to solve, but perhaps somebody could help me with some advise. In Poland, there are no nematocides for hobby growers. I am looking for some professional one, but it is also hard to find something. I tired Agricolle (biological sugar), but it is not working. Please, help.

Best regards,
Piotr

Unfortunately, I'm not sure what you can get there in Poland to assist you. But we have several members from your part of the world that might.

One question and comment though. I thought nematodes were microscopic and beneficial to plants by burrowing into the soil and killing bad insects, slugs, etc... Maybe I'm wrong on that though. Could you post a picture of the insects so everyone can see clearly what you are talking about?

I am not able to take photo of so small things. Many thanks for your comment ! I am sure, that they are nematodes. At first I thought, that they are young fungus gnat larvaes as I always sterilize any substrate for plants (with excetion for sphagnum of course). But when I was able to observe them under magnifying glass it turned out, that they haven't got any head and looks exactly like nematodes, quite large type - about 3-5 mm. I don't know if they eat roots of my orchids, but I can see quite many of them during watering - they appear in water. I would feel better without them...

Nematodes can be good or harmful, I am not sure how it is in this case, but I simply worry about my Phragmipediums.

Piotr

Some nematodes are really bad for plants and some are actually beneficial. The only thing that comes to mind to get rid of them are you can buy predatory nematodes to get rid of the plant harming kind. These predatory nematodes are safe for your plant and just prey on other nematodes and insects. (Lol sick huh) I've seen them in my garden stores in southern california, but i'm sure you kind order them online somehow.

Thanks for your reply. I will look if something like this can be obtainable in Poland.

Are you sure, there are nematodes, that destroyed other nematodes ?
I have heared only about nematodes killing insects.

Piotr

Hmmm i coulda sworn that i heard it in my Soils and Fertilizers class. But i just did some research and i cannot find any evidence. I might research that a little more and find proof before spending money actually

I think i read theres a fungus that preys on nematodes too :) thats pretty cool. But idk how youd get your hands on that kind of thing

What kind of medium are you growing your Phrags in? I've been growing for nearly 40 years and I have never heard of nematodes being a problem in any orchid medium.

The fact is, if they are indeed nematodes, there is nothing you can do for your plant. Even here in the US, there is little if anything available for the home gardener. I'm sorry that I can't be more positive. My suggestion would be to take a sample to the appropriate agricultural agency and have them analyze it for you to make sure that is what you are dealing with. Short of that I would treat the plant with a broad spectrum insecticide in the hopes that you are wrong and that it is not nematodes. Either way, good luck and keep us posted.

I don't know anything about these critters but I did a search and a ton of stuff came up on beneficial nematodes:)

I don't know if this will help but going on about what Shiffdaddy said, I found Nemasys who sells nematodes, although I don't know if theirs eat bad nematodes too.

According to their site, you need to make sure the nematodes don't dry out so they can take effect, maybe a long/longer dry period would get you rid of yours?